Aeroplane



May 18 1926.. 1,585,586

L. A. HEWITT AEROPLANE Filed May 9, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR NESSZATTORNEY Patented May 1 53, 192%.

U ET E LEON A. HEWITT, OF LIVER/MORE, IOWA,

ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRANKLIN E.

COLLINS, OF LIVERIVIORE, IOWA.

AEROPLAN E.

Application filed May 9,

This invention relates to aeroplanes, and has particular reference to animproved wing construction and means whereby the curvature and pitch ofthe wings can be varied, to obtain a wider range of speed with a minimumamount of power.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a wing constructionincluding relatively movable sections designed so that one balances theother, the relative movement of the sections allowing the curvature andpitch of the wings to be varied.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understoodwhen the following detailed description is read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction,combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this ap plication, like numerals ofreference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a plurality of wings showing howthey are simultaneously adjusted in accordance with the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view through one of the wings.

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the wing adjusted to increase thecurvature thereof.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view showing the means for adjusting saidwing.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the wing showing how the spacingelements are connected therewith.

Figure 6 is a sectional view through the means for simultaneouslyadjusting a plurality of wings.

Figure 7 is a view showing the cushioning element used in conjunctionwith the adjusting means.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates generally an aeroplanewherein the wings are indicated at B.

In accordance with the present invention, each wing includes upper andlower sections, the lower sections consisting of spaced parallel strips10 connected at one end with a cross strip 11, while the upper sectionis made up of the same number of strips 12 which are slightly curvedthroughout their length as shown. The strips 12 are connected to thecross piece 13 which is slightly 1924. Serial No. 712,089.

wider than the cross piece 11 above referred to and arranged in parallelcontacting engagement therewith. sponding extremities of the wingsections are connected together in any suitable manner as at 14.Arranged between the respective sections of the wing are spaced elementsin the nature of transverse strips 15 edgewise disposed. One of thesespacing members has its opposite edges connected to the respectivesections of the wing,- while the other spacing member is only connectedto the strips 10 of the lower section, but bears against the strips ofthe upper section. The parts are so arranged and connected together thatone section normally balances the other, but when a pull is exerted uponthe cross piece 13 of the upper section it tends to slightly increasethe curvature of the wing and at the same time change the pitch thereof,through which operation the transverse strip 11 of the lower section isalso permitted a slight relative movement with relation to the crosspiece 13.

It is to be understood that this type of wing can be used in single,double or more plane machines, and the wings simultaneously anduniformly controlled. For this purpose. the cross piece 13 of each wingis connected with one end of a reciprocating rod 16, the other end ofwhich is connected with a lever 17 fulcrumed as at 18. T ie other end ofthis lever is connected with a cross rod 19 which is hollow adjacent oneend to receive the adjacent section 20 of a threaded rod. These sections20 are oppositely threaded as at 21 into a tubular or sleeve like member22 equipped with a hand wheel 23, and it is manifest that when the wheelis turned in one direction the lovers 19 are moved upon their fulcrumstoward each other to move the cross pieces 13 of the wing structure inthe same direction and thus slightly increase the curvature and alsochange the pitch of the wing. When the wheel is turned in an oppositedirection, the wing sections are allowed to return to their normalpositions, incident to the reverse movement of the levers 17 If morethan two wings are used, the levers of the different wing structures areconnected with the cross rod 19 by cables 27. A cushioning spring 25surrounds the hollow portion of the cross rod 19, having one end bearingagainst the flange 26 and its other end con- The opposite correnectedwith the adjacent section 20 threaded rod.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature andadvantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to haveitunderstood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown anddescribed, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fallwithin the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, I claim: Y

1. In an aeroplane, a wing including upper and lower sections, eachsection comprising spaced flexible members, a cross piece con nectingthe members of each section, with said cross pieces arranged incontacting engagement, a rod connected with the cross piece of onesection and mounted for sliding movement, a lever mounted for pivotalmovement and pivotally connected with said rod, a lever pivot-allyconnected with the first mentioned lever and arranged for movement in aplane at a right angle with said rod, and operable to flex one sectionof the of the wing with relation to the other to increase thecurvatureand pitch of the wing for the purpose specified.

2. In an aeroplane, a plurality of wings, each wing including upper andlower sections, each embodying a plurality of flexible elements, crosspieces connecting the elements of each section, with said cross piecesarranged in'contacting engagement, a rod connected with the cross pieceof one section and mounted for sliding movement, a pivoted lever havingpivotal connection with said rod, an operating lever pivoted with thefirst mentioned lever and movable in a plane at a right angle to saidrod, threaded rods associated with the last mentioned levers of therespective wings, a turn buckle connecting said threaded rods, wherebysaid last mentioned levers are simultaneously actuated to flex and varythe curvature and pitch of said wings, and a cushioning elementconnecting the said rods with said levers for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LEON A. HEWITT.

